A Literature Review: The Mechanisms and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain—A Brief Discussion

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

In this review manuscript, Orzechowicz et al. provide useful information related to the various forms of neuropathy, a brief overview of their mechanism of action, and current treatment options. Overall, this is an informative review that will provide an important introduction into clinical treatments for neuropathy. The main concern is the use of already published figures without the permission from the authors or journals. Importantly, these figures are not required and the authors should consider removing them from the review. Below are some additional comments that the authors may consider prior to publication.

1.    Figure 1 can be removed, or if kept, re-drawn to coincide with the authors view. As is, it is an exact replica of the citation provided and would likely need permission from the original authors and journal. The authors may consider expanding on the information provided in the Figure by adding descriptors over each region so the reader understands what sites the illustration is referring to (e.g., postsynapse, etc.).

2.    Figure 2 is not necessary. If the authors feel it is important to include, I would suggest modifying it to fit with their own views. If included, the authors should provide a description of the scoring tools along with how common each screening tool is used clinically.

3.    Figure 3 is not necessary. The authors should consider expanding their description in the text related to the plasticity involved in neuropathic pain rather than using a figure from a previous publication.  

4.    The section, 2.4 Central Pain, is difficult to follow logically. One sentence states that, “loss of pain and temperature sensations is the hallmark symptom all central pain syndromes.” Only to have the next sentence state that, “sensory hypersensitivity is a primary marker for central pain…” Can the authors expand on how central pain leads to a loss of pain, but also sensory hypersensitivity and exaggerated pain responses?

5.    Figure 4 is not necessary.

Author Response

Please see the attachment for response to comment and suggestions for authors. It includes responses to Reviewer 1, Reviewer 2, and the editor. Thank you for your time.  

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is a comprehensive review in the pathophysiology and treatment in neuropathic pain. This review focus on the newly proposed mechanisms for pharmacological and targeted therapies, such as neurostimulation, which aim to reduce the negative somatosensory effects of neuropathic pain. This review is very comprehensive and well written, which is very helpful for the readers.

Author Response

Thank you for taking the time to review our manuscript. We appreciate the feedback.